Separator for vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

The object of this invention is a separator for liquid bath type vacuum cleaners, wherein the liquid bath provides the pre-separation and the disposal of the suctioned in particulate matter.  
     The separator has a bottom ( 12 ), a cylibdric body with turbine blades ( 15 ), and a sealing ring ( 11 ) at the upper end. The separator is made of segments or of an integral one piece. The segment of the separator ( 10 ) is manufactured as a turbine wheel, where the radial supports ( 17 ) have a periphery ( 16 ), on which periphery ( 16 ) are disposed uniformly and approximately radially turbine blades ( 15 ) having a slightly inclined outer part in the counter-rotation direction. The sealing ring ( 11 ) has radial supports ( 17 ) and a ring ( 19 ), and at the bottom of the lid ( 1   a ) it has airflow directing means ( 20 ) manufactured as extensions inclined from the periphery towards the radius.

[0001] This invention relates to a separator for liquid bath type vacuumcleaners. Said liquid bath provides the pre-separation and thedeposition of the suctioned in particulate matter. The cleaners pertainto the so-called dust control vacuum appliances.

[0002] Vacuum cleaners of various designs are known for the use inresidential and commercial settings. Their common characteristic is thedevelopment of suction resulting in an airflow that draws undesiredparticulates, and in some embodiments, also liquids into the vacuumapparatus. Subsequently the ingested air has to become separated fromthe suctioned in particulates and the optional liquids. After .theseparation of particulates and the optional liquid, the air is exhaustedback into the ambient environment. The particulate matter and theoptional liquid, however, ought to remain in the vacuum cleaner. Theseparation of particulates from the air is operable by means ofmechanical filters. On the other hand, the separation of particulates,and the optionally entrained liquid, from the air is operable with aliquid bath (filter), and a special separator. The advantages resultingfrom the separation and the disposal of particulate matter, andoptionally the suctioned in liquid, from the air by means of a liquidbath reside therein that the liquid, which is typically water, is alwaysavailable (mechanical filters are not); that liquids for examplecleaning agents, may be drawn in as well as particulates; and that sucha vacuum cleaning type appliance provides a slight room humidifyingeffect during use. A common problem encountered in all mentioned liquidbath type vacuum cleaners is the provision that in addition toparticulates also the liquid entrained by the airflow has to be removedfrom the air. In the majority of liquid bath type vacuum cleaners theseparation of the air from the particulate and the entrained liquid isperformed by centrifugation owing to the substantially lower specificmass of the air in comparison with the particulate matter or theliquids.

[0003] Liquid bath type vacuum cleaners are described for example inU.S. Pat. No. 4,640,697 and DE 36 32 992 respectively, U.S. Pat. Nos.5,030,257 and 5,125,129. The main drawback of these patented solutionsinvolving the separation of particulates and liquids from the air,however, is the technically exacting and inefficient design of theseparators.

[0004] According to the publication WO 92/03210 the separation of airfrom the particulate matter is performed in three stages. During thepassage of the airflow through the liquid trap the larger particlesbecome wetted and are trapped therein. Smaller particulates are drawn bythe airflow in the direction of the separator, and coalescence withmicroscopic liquid droplets on its surface. Owing to the high-speedrotation of the separator (from 20,000 to 25,000 rpm) they are forciblyexpelled back into the liquid container. The smallest particles and theliquid micro-droplets are entrapped inside the separator impinging theinner wall of the separator, owing to the magnitude of the centrifugalacceleration, which is up to 12,000 Gs. This third and last stage of theseparation of the air from particulates and the liquid leads to theaccumulation of particulates inside the separator. These particulatesclog the slots in the separator, thus impairing the efficiency of theseparator as well as the complete vacuum cleaner. The separator becomesunbalanced and suffers vibrations. The mentioned accumulation ofparticulates in the interior of the separator requires periodicalcleaning of the separator. This is inconvenient and potentially riskyfor the user, because it involves the dismounting of the separator.During this task the operation of the motor should be forbidden, becausethe rotation would injure the user. Consequently, this solution for theseparation of the air from particulates and the liquid is problematic,especially with regard to the safety of the user as well as theoperability.

[0005] The separation in conformance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,386 issolved in an analogous manner as in the above-referenced publication WO92/03210. The improvement resides in the slot depth to width ratio ofthe separator, and a labyrinth arranged over the separator, whichdevelops a counter-airflow and impedes the entering of droplets and dustparticulates inot the interior zone of the suction turbine.

[0006] The basic and common drawback of the separators disclosed in WO92/03210 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,902,386 is the design of the separator inthe form of a conical basket having vertical slots in the sidewall ofthe separator. The sidewall is formed of a plurality of ribs, which areseparated by slots. Owing to the high rotation speed of the separatorand the resulting augmented centrifugal forces, the ribs andconsequently the sidewall become convexly deformed. By the deformationof the separator the apertures of the slots are increased, and theseparator becomes inefficient. The separator also becomes unbalanced andsuffers from vibrations. The only possible way to avoid deformations ofa separator designed in the above manner is the reinforcement of theribs of the sidewall, thus diminishing the apertures of the slots. Thesidewall becomes reinforced, the slots, however, become smaller. Thedecrease in the slot width to rib width ratio results in decreasedpermeability and impaired efficiency of the separator. Wider ribs meanalso an increased area for the deposition of dust particles and otherpollutants (dirt particles). Separators of this type are less efficientowing to their design, and become even less efficient because of theaccumulation of dust particles and other pollutants. Periodical cleaningis required, as already discussed.

[0007] An interesting solution based on a completely differentthree-stage separation is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,908,493.

[0008] One object of this invention is the design of a vacuum cleanerassembly with a separator ensuring a highly efficient separation. ofparticulates and the entrained liquid from the airflow, and preventingthe deposition of dust particles and other pollutants on the separator.The separator is not deformable and is completely safe. This means thatthe user is not compelled to clean or otherwise service any of therotating parts. Consequently, the separator is inaccessible for theuser.

[0009] Another object of this invention is a simple and reliableprevention of the entrance of liquid droplets, dust particles and otherpollutants into the turbine zone.

[0010] The above objects are provided in accordance with the independentpatent claim of the present invention.

[0011] This invention will be described in detail by the followingworking example, and the following drawings, wherein:

[0012]FIG. 1 is an embodiment of an assembly comprising a separator, asealing ring and a turbine,

[0013]FIG. 2 is an embodiment of the separator and the sealing ring,

[0014]FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the separator and thesealing ring,

[0015]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary elevational view of the separator,

[0016]FIG. 5 is a fragmentary cross sectional view of the separator,

[0017]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the turbine blades in airstreamlines,

[0018]FIG. 7a is an elevational view of the sealing ring,

[0019]FIG. 7b is a side view partially in cross section of the sealingring,

[0020]FIG. 7c is a perspective view of the sealing ring,

[0021]FIG. 8a is a conical embodiment of the separator,

[0022]FIG. 8b is a stepped conical embodiment of the separator,

[0023]FIG. 9 is the lid over the turbine zone.

[0024] The liquid bath type vacuum cleaner operates by means of anassembly consisting of the separator 10, the sealing ring 11, and theturbine with the motor 2 in the housing 1. In principle the vacuumcleaner operates by the driving of the turbine 4, the sealing ring 11,and the separator 10 on the shaft 3 by the motor 2. The assembly and theoperation are represented on FIG. 1. The turbine 4 generates a flow,which is directed as a mixture 6 consisting of air, water droplets andother pollutants, into the separator 10. Owing to the high-speedrotation of the separator 10 the droplets and other pollutants of a highspecific mass are substantially prevented to enter the interior of theseparator 10. The air having a low specific mass is caused by the vacuumgenerated by the turbine 4, to enter the separator 10, where it issuctioned in by the turbine 4, and then expelled into the environment asshown by the arrow 8. The droplets and other pollutants randomlyentering the separator 10, are subjected to rotation in the separator10, and then expelled from the separator 10 by centrifugation as shownby the arrow 7. It is important, that the separator 10 and the zone 5 ofthe turbine 4 are joined in a manner impeding the flow of air, dropletsand pollutants through the slot 9 into the zone 5 of the turbine 4.Gaskets and similar seals are not suitable because of friction and wear.According to this invention are foreseen airflow directing means 20 atthe bottom of the lid 1 a. Said means generate by air rotation apressure, which is in balance with the turbine pressure in the zone 5.On the inner circumference the lid 1 a has extensions 21 enabling astable and central securing of the lid 1 a to the housing 1, as shall bediscussed in detail with respect to FIG. 9.

[0025] The design and the operation of the separator are illustratedwith the aid of FIGS. 2 and 3, as well as 4, 5 and 6.

[0026] In conformance with FIG. 2 is the separator 10 provided with abottom 12, a cylindrical body having turbine blades 15, and a sealingring 11 at the upper end with respect to the direction of the turbine 4.The assembly comprising the separator 10 and the sealing ring 11 issecured to the shaft of the motor 2. The direction of the rotation isshown by the arrow 13.

[0027] In conformance with FIG. 3, which is an equivalent of the FIG. 2,yet in exploded view, is the separator 10 provided with a bottom 2closing the separator 10, and enabling the securing of the assemblycomprising separator 10 and the sealing ring 11, on the shaft 3 of themotor 2. In this embodiment the separator 10 consists of four superposedsegments that are positioned by means of positioning joints 18. In thisembodiment, the positional joints 18 are provided by hollows at thelower part of the segment of the separator 10 and projections at theupper part of the segment, and correspondingly on the sealing ring 11and the lid 1 a as well.

[0028] In conformance with FIGS. 4 and 5 the segment of the separator 10is manufactured as a turbine wheel having a periphery 16 on radialsupports 17. On the periphery 16 are distributed turbine blades 15uniformly and approximately radially, with a slight inclination of theouter part in counter-rotation direction. The direction of rotation isshown by the arrow 13. The rotation of the separator 10 and theresulting vacuum generated by the turbine 4 cause the radial entering ofthe air into the interior. The majority of the droplets, dust and otherpollutants are expelled because of their large specific mass. Thedroplets, dust and other pollutants that are randomly entering theinterior of the separator 10 are rotated additionally by the radialsupports 17, and are between the blades 15 expelled from the separator10. The blades 15 and the periphery 16 have an aerodynamic profileending at an edge, which is similar to the edge of an aircraft wing.Thus, the airflow is improved and the deposition of pollutants isimpeded. Hitherto known designs show in comparison with this inventionlarge faces with respect to the radial direction resulting in adisadvantageous deposition of pollutants and an impaired airflow. Theconstruction in conformance with this invention is also endowed withmechanical strength, since the periphery 16 is suspended at severalsites on the radial supports 17, and the blades 15 are suspended on theperiphery 16. The separator 10 is accordingly not subjected todeformation due to centrifugal force. In this embodiment the separatorconsists of segments enabling the use of simple extrusion tools. Thevariation of the number of segments enables optional heights and theresulting efficiency of the separator 10. It is understood that thisinvention encompasses also a separator made of an integral one piece,optionally including the sealing ring 11 and the bottom 12.

[0029]FIG. 6 represents two blades in cross-section, with a computersimulation of air streamlines. Owing to the rotation of the blades 15 inthe direction 13 and the resulting vacuum the air enters between theblades 15 and becomes pressurized. The pollutants, however, are rejectedapproximately in the direction 14.

[0030] In conformance with FIGS. 7a, 7 b and 7 c the sealing ring 11 ismanufactured in a similar manner as the segment of the separator 10. Thesealing ring 11 is like the segment of the separator provided withradial supports 17, positional joints 18 and a ring 19. The upperperiphery of the ring 19 has a stepped form, in order to minimize theslot 9 between the lid la and the ring 19, and between the turbine 4 andthe ring 19, as evident also from FIG. 1.

[0031] In conformance with FIG. 9 and with respect to the direction 22of the rotation of the turbine 4 the air also is rotating under theturbine 4 in the direction 22. At the bottom of the lid la are providedairflow directing means 20 in the form of extensions inclined from theperiphery towards the radius. Since the air under the turbine 4 is inrotation, it is directed by the means 20 towards the radius, namelytowards the slot 9. Consequently, an overpressure develops over the slot9. In the slot 9 the pressures become balanced, and no airflow isgenerated. The extensions 21 on the inner circumference of the lid laenable a stable and centric securing of the lid 1 a on the housing 1,and simultaneously enable the exhaust of the air into the environment asshown by the arrow 8 on FIG. 1.

[0032] The embodiment in conformance with FIG. 9 represents fivestreamlines 20. It is understood, that within the scope of thisinvention the number of streamlines 20 is optional, yet >1.

[0033] The FIGS. 8a and 8 b represent conical embodiments of theseparator 10. Consequently, this invention includes also a separator 10,which is not cylindrical as described in the working example, butconical, which means that the radius of the separator 10 decreases inthe direction towards the lid 1 a.

[0034] This invention is described in the working examples. It isunderstood, that this invention encompasses all designs, wherein theseparator has radial supports 17 and aerodynamic turbine blades 15 onthe periphery 16, irrespective of the fact that the separator consistsof separate segments, a sealing ring 11 and a bottom 12, or of anintegral one piece or of any other combination. Within the scope of thisinvention are also all designs, wherein the sealing is provided by asealing ring 11 in the slot 9, and airflow directing means 20 at thebottom of the lid 1 a.

1. A separator for liquid bath type vacuum cleaners, wherein the liquid bath serves for the pre-separation and disposal of the suctioned in particulates, the airflow is generated by a turbine, the separation is achieved by a centrifugal separator, and the assembly consisting of a separator and a sealing ring is secured to the motor shaft, characterized in that the separator has a bottom (12), a body with turbine blades (15), a sealing ring (11) at the upper end, and airflow directing means (20) at the bottom of the lid (1 a).
 2. A separator for vacuum cleaners of claim 1, characterized in that the separator is made of segments or of an integral one piece.
 3. A separator for vacuum cleaners of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the separator is cylindrical, or conical or stepped conical.
 4. A separator for vacuum cleaners of claim 1, characterized in that the segment of the separator (10) is manufactured as a turbine wheel, where the radial supports (17) have a periphery (16), on which periphery (16) are disposed uniformly and approximately radially turbine blades (15) having a slightly inclined outer part in the counter-rotation direction.
 5. A separator for vacuum cleaners of claim 1, characterized in that the profile of the blades (15) is similar to the profile of an aircraft wing.
 6. A separator for vacuum cleaners of claim 1, characterized in that the sealing ring (11) has radial supports (17) and a ring (19), and at the bottom of the lid (1 a) it has more than one airflow directing means (20) manufactured as extensions inclined from the periphery towards the radius. a lid for housing said turbine, said lid comprising means for directing airflow away from said separator.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said separator is a single piece.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said separator comprises a plurality of segments positioned vertically adjacent to one another.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said plurality of segments include positioning joints comprised of openings at a lower part of a segment and corresponding projections at an upper end of another segment.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein each segment of said separator is configured as a wheel.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein each segment comprises an outer periphery supported by a plurality of radial supports.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said wheel comprises blades on the periphery thereof.
 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said blades are inclined in a direction opposite a direction in which said turbine rotates.
 15. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said separator body is cylindrical.
 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said separator body is conical.
 17. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said separator body is stepped conical.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said blades have a profile resembling an aircraft wing.
 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said sealing ring includes radial supports.
 20. The apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein said means for directing airflow is configured as an extension inclined from a periphery of said lid towards a radius of said lid.
 21. A separator for liquid bath type vacuum cleaners comprising: a means for generating airflow; a centrifugal separator; said centrifugal separator comprising a body having a plurality of turbine blades on a periphery thereof, a sealing ring at a top portion of said separator; means for directing air upwards away from said separator.
 22. A vacuum cleaner capable of separating air from particulate matter and liquids comprising: a housing, a motor positioned within said housing, a shaft connected to said motor and extending out of said housing; a turbine connected to said shaft; a turbine housing; a separator assembly comprising, a separator body positioned on said shaft, a sealing ring secured to a top part of said separator body; and means for directing airflow positioned on a bottom portion of said turbine housing.
 23. The vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 22, wherein said separator body includes a plurality of blades on a periphery thereof.
 24. The vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 22, wherein said separator assembly is a single piece.
 25. The vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 22, wherein said separator assembly comprises a plurality of segments positioned vertically adjacent to one another.
 26. The vacuum cleaner as recited in claim 22, wherein said separator body is a shape selected from the group consisting of cylindrical, conical and stepped conical. 